Information

WELCOME TO LINGUAPHILES & SESQUIPEDALIANS

LINGUAPHILES & SESQUIPEDALIANS is a group for people who love languages, words, and grammar.

The only requirement for joining this group is that you possess a modicum of interest in languages, etymology, grammar, punctuation, and pronunciation. You do not have to be erudite or scholarly; you do not have to be a linguist or grammarian. You just have to have the desire to learn new things about language, or share the knowledge you possess.

The purpose of this group will be to help us explore the diversity of language, hone our grammar and spelling skills, understand correct word usage, expand our vocabulary, explore language and word history, and find new ways to communicate.

How we talk about things is equally important as what we talk about. Language is a part of our thinking, speaking, and writing; it is mind, tongue, and hand. It is about how we relate to other people and understand the world around us. It is communication and the exchange of ideas. It is learning, empathy, history, and politics. It can persuade, disarm, conquer, cajole, unnerve, offend, shame, enrich, encourage, inspire, destroy, or sustain. It is all these things and more.

However, the emphasis of LINGUAPHILES & SESQUIPEDALIANS is not on writing and publication. If you are interested in these topics, please join the group ATHEIST WRITERS. That does not mean that you cannot ask questions about writing here, it is just that we are not trying to compete with the well-established writer's group. I simply recommend that you use your best judgment and post your discussion in the group that best fits the topic.

The focus here will obviously be on the English language, but it is not restricted to English only. Topics can include correct spelling and grammar issues, etymology, vocabulary and usage, language history and lexicography, dialects and idioms, trivia, and resources such as books and websites.

@Idaho Spud, the Numero Uno buzzword is actually a phrase that if I hear one more time I may say OK, I couldn't beat them so I will join them. Mind you, I am not above coinin' myself, and I usually like neologisms, but one came out in youth culture about two or three decades ago and spread like wildfire. It makes me want to puke. When you thank someone for something they have done for you, why do they have to ruin it by saying, "No problem." If I had meant to bring a problem to their attention I would not be thanking them, would I. So I am thinking of printing up some little cards that read: "Thanks. PLEASE DO NOT SAY 'NO PROBLEM' though 'You're Welcome' would be nice."

O, Cat and crowd, rebelliousness (rebellionosity?) I can see, and after a lot of digging in non-standard dictionaries, I found the 2 bits of information that make "embiggen" humorous. So at issue is not whether I have a sense of humor, but whether I have the information for it to kick in. And you, yourself, M. Cat, are cromulent!

@Bertold, wow! You hit my second major pet peeve (the first being attempts to modify the word "unique"). Proactive is a neologism invented by the Covey guy who wrote the book on "proactive people," one of the most dreadful, specious self-help books ever written. (I know, I once wrote one.)